A phone survey initiated by proponents of a Dixon Downs horse-racing complex contacted the city”s residents starting last week to gauge where they stand on the project.

Dixon Downs, which would be built on 260 acres in the northeast part of the city, received approval by the City Council in October.

Since then, Dixon Citizens for Quality Growth, the group opposing the project, collected enough signatures for a referendum, causing the City Council either to rescind its decision or let the voters decide in a special election.

As a result of the council”s decision, the issue will go on an April 17 ballot.

Now, a campaign is under way toward approval of the project proposed by Ontario, Canada-based Magna Entertainment Corp, said Don Erickson, former mayor and special project consultant.

“The campaign has not fully rolled out yet,” Erickson said, adding that the Dixon Downs team would like to see the campaign start some time early this week. “When we do start, it will not be a secret.”

Erickson said there has been a lot of community involvement in support of the project.

The phone survey, which started Thursday, is just one of tools the group is using to gauge the public”s opinion about the track, Erickson said.

“We”re finding out where the voters are,” he explained. “Then, we will do our best to inform them.”

However, the idea that the Dixon Downs proponents are behind a phone survey isn”t sitting well with some.

Cissie Perkins, a member of Dixon Citizens for Quality Growth wrote down some of the questions she was asked over the phone about the project.

Some of those questions included: If the election were held today, would you vote in favor or against the project? Would you be willing to listen to information that would help change your mind if you are against the project? What is your strongest reason for voting no?

“These so-called surveys are just more evidence of Magna Entertainment”s strong-arm tactics,” Perkins said Friday. “This type of propaganda further proves what ill-will they choose to do with their many dollars.”

Dixon Citizens for Quality Growth also has been meeting to form a campaign against the project.

Melissa Murphy is the managing editor at The Reporter. She is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento and has a bachelor of arts degree in Journalism with a minor in Human Resources. She has been with The Reporter since 2006.